When is Spy in the Ocean on television?
Spy in the Ocean is a four-part series that starts on 4 June at 7pm on BBC One. It is also available on BBC iPlayer.
Episode 1: Deep Thinkers
Episode 2: Deep Feelings
Episode 3: Deep Friendships
Episode 4: Deep Trouble
What is Spy in the Ocean about?
An amazing new generation of spy creatures set out to explore the ocean, encountering the ingenious and emotional animals that have made this habitat their home. From fish that use teamwork to solve problems, to a rare social gatherings of whales in deep conversation, this series features startling new insights with feats of intelligence surprisingly similar to our own.
Which spy creatures were used in Spy in the Ocean?
Spy Sperm Whale, Spy Humpback Whale, Spy Coconut Octopus, Spy Macaque, Spy Pufferfish, Spy Hermit Crab, Spy Pig, Spy Blue Crab, Spy Dolphin, Spy Sea Lion, Spy Cuttlefish, Spy Fur Seal, Spy Manatee, Spy Mudskipper, Spy Spider Crab, Spy Hammerhead, Spy Moray Eel, Spy Pelican, Spy Marine Iguana, Spy Ghost Crab Bouldercam, Spy Fringehead Fish, Spy Herring, Spy Rocks, Spy Tuna Crab, Spy Albatross, Spy Frigate Bird, Spy Lobster, Spy Nautilus, Spy Oyster, Spy Turtle
Where was each Spy in the Ocean episode filmed?
Episode one, Deep Thinkers
Sperm whales: Mauritius
Coconut Octopus: Indonesia
Macaques: Thailand
Marline and sealions: Mexico
Puffer fish: Japan
Hermit Crabs: Belize
Pigs: Caribbean
Saddleback Clownfish: Indonesia
Episode two, Deep Feelings
Dolphins: Western Australia
Humpback Whales: French Polynesia
Cuttlefish: Australia
Fur Seals: New Zealand
Manatees: Belize
Mudskipper: Japan
Mimic Octopus: Indonesia
Episode three, Deep Friendships:
Spider crab: Australia
Hammerhead sharks/eels: Columbia
Spinner dolphin: Costa Rica
Marine iguanas: Galápagos
Dolphin: Australia
Episode four, Deep Trouble
Humpback whale: French Polynesia
Elephant seals: South Georgia, Southern Ocean
Peacock mantis shrimp: Indonesia
Sea lion and marine iguana: Galapagos
Fringehead fish: USA
Herring: Canada, BC
Grunion: Mexico
Coconut octopus: Indonesia
Spy in the Ocean episode one: Deep Thinkers
In the first episode spy whale has a close encounter with sperm whales, while spy octopus builds a relationship with a coconut octopus, a creature who not only a central brain but also a brain in each of its arms. It uses its combined brainpower to steal the coconut shell carried by our spy and then uses it as the door to its secret hideaway.
In Thailand, spy macaque swims with freediving monkeys and captures behaviour that has never been seen before: macaques catching fish with their bare hands.
In Japan, spy puffer fish encounters an artistic genius, a male Japanese puffer fish that crafts exquisite sand sculptures to woo a mate. Spy puffer becomes the artist’s assistant as it finds shells to help it complete its masterpiece.
In the Caribbean, spy hermit crab loses its camera shell to a real hermit crab during a house swap. The thief becomes an unwitting camera operator and gains a crab’s-eye view as the crabs line up to exchange shells in order of size. Also in the Caribbean, spy pig joins a colony of wild pigs as they cleverly take to the ocean to find food.
Spy in the Ocean episode two: Deep Feelings
In the second episode spy dolphin joins real dolphins as they surf waves, witnessing their euphoria up close, while spy whale forges a friendship with a baby humpback whale. In New Zealand, spy seal joins a lost seal pup on an epic adventure as they head inland to a magical refuge deep in the mountains.
In the coral reefs of the Caribbean, spy manatee gains a privileged view into their endearing relationships - even receiving a manatee kiss! In Japan, emotions run high among courting mudskippers and spy mudskipper even attempts to attract a mate.
Who is narrating Spy in the Ocean?
The series will be narrated by actor David Tennant
Main image : Spy whale @ BBC/John Downer Productions/René Heuzey